Why is my engine overheating?

Tiny
NAVARROL8934
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 117,000 MILES
My car is overheating. I changed the thermostat and is still overheating. I'm thinking it might be the cooling fan. I'm not sure when the cooling fan is suppose to turn on but as I got off the freeway I pulled over to a gas station and saw that the fan was not on.
Saturday, May 25th, 2013 AT 9:32 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
It does sound like the fan is not working which is probably a bad fan motor which is common but to be sure lets run down these guides to help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-electric-fan-motor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-electric-cooling-fan-works

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
NAVARROL8934
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It happens when I'm doing long drives on the freeway. When the car b is under more stress I guess. By coolant you mean water right? Sorry I'm not to experienced.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If overheating occurs only when driving at high speed, that means inefficient cooling and the most likely cause would be restricted radiator.

Yes, coolant is the fluid used in cooling systems. Did you check the radiator level?
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
NAVARROL8934
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
When I got home I took off the radiator cap and filled it up with water but it filled uo with just a few ounces.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Have the radiator checked for clogging.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
NAVARROL8934
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I installed a new fan motor and it started working and the engine does not overheat anymore thank you!
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcome.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
GIRLYNISSAN07
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 73,000 MILES
Ok, I have brought my car to my mechanic twice for this issue, and they can't find a thing wrong. My thermostat fluctuates, sometimes going all the way to H. I turn the heat on, and it goes down. Last night it was doing it again, so we tried not turning the heat on, and the thermostat stayed up to H for a minute, then slowly went down on its own. What is wrong with this car?
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Low coolant level, bad thermostat, clogged radiator or a blown head gasket. Since you have driven it overheated, I would have that checked first

Roy
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIRLYNISSAN07
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for responding! I have had a pressure test, thermostat was tested, the whole car, and the fluid level is checked every morning, just to be sure. The whole car is fine, is there anything else, or is it a recall issue?
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No recall, everything is not fine. One of these items is creating your issue and you need to have someone track it down before you do serious damage to the motor from overheating.

Roy
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check the cooling fans. They could be working intermittently due to failing motors.
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIRLYNISSAN07
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you KH!
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I agree with KH but the fans cool at idle not at higher speeds as you indicated.

Roy
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIRLYNISSAN07
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks ASE, my car had been referred/brought to the dealership, where even they are having difficulty figuring out the issue, as it is not doing it for them, and they cannot find a broken cracked or leaking part. Thanks to all! Hoping the dealership can determine the issue, as I really like my car! I was just hoping for some ideas :)
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good luck
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARLOS THORNTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 202,000 MILES
Overheats after driving eight to nine minutes. Changed both thermostats tested old both opened. Low coolant never see leakage. Was told 20,000 when I bought blown head gasket or cracked head also they added sealer in radiator copper bits in rad not much. No problem for 18,000. Burped coolant. Car sits in driveway at startup fifteen minutes does not overheat, the fans come on when temp rises to just above normal. Drive it seems okay for nine minutes. Six months ago hot day AC stops. Month later had low coolant a couple times I added more okay. Then temperature rises on hot daytime +80 driving but could be controlled with heater on. Let temperature rise almost to the top of gauge a week ago. Since then overheats more heater is not enough to keep cool. This week replaced two thermostats did not burp correctly. The next day burped fifteen minutes properly had bubbles etc. Now at normal temperature in neutral for burping today again okay in driveway drive it eight to nine minutes overheats. I cannot be sure top thermostat little hole is in correct position. I looked for one but do not recall seeing one. Thanks
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Since you have already replace the thermostats, bled the air from the system, and the cooling fans are working, I would recommend flushing the radiator. You mentioned using a stop leak product. Often times, they can actually melt down and plug the radiator, heater core.

Take a look through this link:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Next, since coolant is disappearing, either there is a leak or a bad head gasket. Here is a link that discusses the process of locating a leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-leak-symptoms

Last, here is a test for checking for a head gasket issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Take a look through these things and let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARLOS THORNTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello
I flushed the radiator, burped it. Then is sat running in the driveway for ten minutes does not overheat. I noticed the tiny bubbles in the coolant. However, I rigged a funnel to the radiator opening to have coolant above the radiator that is when I noticed the bubbles. While parked no problem I drove it for five minutes and it got almost to the top of the gauge. Seems like a head gasket.
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARLOS THORNTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Also the car sits in neutral (manual transmission).
No overheat issue, I can turn the AC on when the engine is still very cold and right after start. The fans will come on. Is that normal?
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)

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